Flashlight construction



April 9, 1963 G.'L. BAUTSCH FLASHLIGHT CONSTRUCTION 2 sheefsesheet 1 Filed March 17, 1961 ATTORNEKS A ril 9, 1963 G. BAUTSCH 3,085,150

FLASHLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Filed March 11, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY Q ATTORNEYS Unite States Patent 3,085,150 FLASHLIGHT CONSTRUCTION George L. Bautseh, 2520 Chase St., R0. 130x352,

La Crosse, Wis. Filed Mar. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 96,507 1 Claim. (Cl. 24010.65)

This invention relates to a dash light construction, and has as its primary object the provision of an improved flash light casing and components therefor characterized by extreme simplicity, ease of assembly, and minimum cost.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a flash light including a casing formed of molded plastic or the like which is formed from two pre-molded complementary half sections, which, when fitted together form the entire casing including supports and fittings for the interior components.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a flash light construction which, in the casing per se, incorporates an air chamber and a mouthpiece which form a whistle which may be used as an alarm signal in conjunction with the flash light. Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a flash light construction provided with a forward chamber of colored translucent material which surrounds the bulb of the light so as to disseminate a red warning glow transversely to the axis of the white beam of light projected forwardly by the bulb.

A more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved and simplified spring structure and mounting therefore for illuminating the bulb.

A further and more detailed object of the invention is the provision of such a flash light which has in association therewith a compass, so that the device may be readily employed for a variety of purposes, such as a distress signal, a search light beam, a warning signal and a direction indicator.

A further object of the invention is the provision, integrallywith the casing, of a directional pointer system which may be used in conjunction with a compass for P sighting directions.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter as'the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of one form of flash light construction embodying the instant inventive concept.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 2a is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 showing certain parts in a diiferent position of adjustment.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the complementary half section of the casing adapted to be used in conjunction with the structure shown in FIG. 2 to form the completed flashlight.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the directionindicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational view of the structure of FIG. 1 as viewed from the end containing the light.

3,085,150- Patented Apr. 9, 1963 FIGURE 7 is an end elevational view of the opposite end of the device.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially broken away and partially in section, of a modified form of construction; and

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of a modified form disclosed in FIG. 8.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the flashlight of the instant invention is generally indicated at 10, and comprises a casing formed of two substantially identical half sections 11 and 11a which are adapted to fit together along .a longitudinal center line 12a. Since the sections 11 and 11a are identical but mirror images of each other only one will be described in detail. Each section includes a side wall 12, a top wall 13, a bottom wall 14, a front wall '15, and a rear wall 16'.

The confronting surfaces of the top, bottom, and end walls are substantially smooth, the top wall being provided adjacent one end with an opening 17, and the bottom wall with an opening 18, the aligned openings being adapted for the reception of pins 19 and 20 respectively, which when glued in position, securely hold the two complementary halves in related assembly to form a casing. Top wall 11 has adjacent its forward end a central opening 21 which is adapted to receive a compass casing 22, the compass contained therein being of conventional design and used in the conventional, manner. Each of the openings in the complementary walls are semi-circular, so that the opening is centrally positioned. A second pair of complementary semi-circular beveled openings 23 provide an access opening for a hollow push button 24, having a central interior recess 24a, and which is mounted on a leaf 25, at the extremity of which are provided oppositely extending integral pin portions 28, the portions seating against an abutment 29, which forms a socket to permit pivotal action of the push button 24.

The lower portion of the socket is formed by the uppermost of two parallel flanged portions 30 and 31 which form between them a slot 32 which is adapted for the reception of a central portion 33 of a leaf spring member generally indicated at 34.

The opposite end portions of central portion 33 are downwardly offset as at 35. and 36, and the forward offset portion has integrally formed therewith an upwardly extending leaf member 37 terminating in an upwardly convexed rib 38 which extends into the recess 24a of the push button 24 and a downwardly and forwardly extending portion 39. Rib 38 by its engagement with the rim surrounding recess 24a prevents button 24 from slipping forwardly into the casing when its forward edge is engaged under the rim of opening 23, as shown in FIG. 2a, in which position the light bulb is maintained in illuminated condition. Neck 41 seats in an opening 43 in a transverse partition 44 which extends across each half section of the casing, and the bulb is visible through an opening 45 in the front wall 15. The casing sections are comprised of translucent colored material preferably red, and, as best seen in FIG. 2, a portion of the bulb is exposed in the space between partition 44 and front wall 15 in such manner that a red lateral glow extends therefrom through the translucent casing material, while a beam of clear light for illumination purposes is projected forwardly through the opening 45. The bulb housing 40 is adapted to seat on a transverse rib 46, while additional transverse ribs 47 and 48 support a conventional pen light battery 49 having a terminal 50 in contact with the extremity 51 of bulb housing 40. The upper portion of the battery 49 is held in position by the lowermost flange 31. There are also being provided a 3 longitudinally extending rib 52 and additional spaced ribs 53 and 54 for suitably aligning the battery 49.

Referring back to spring 39, the rear portion 55 thereof extends from the inclined portion 36 and terminates in an arcuate portion 56 which is adapted to contact the coils of a compression spring 57 which bears against the rear end of battery 49 and biases terminal 50 into engagement With contact 51. Spring 57 has reduced coil portions 58 at the forward extremity thereof to provide a sure contact against the end of the battery, and at its rear end seats in a cup-shaped socket 59 of an end cap 60. The end cap 60 has a concave outer face with a transverse finger engaging rib 61 thereon, and a pair of projections 62 on opposite sides of the periphery thereof which engages in suitable bayonet slots 63 in an opening 64 in end wall 16. 7

An internally positioned longitudinally extending partition 65 in association with a substantially vertical end partition 66 defines an air chamber, which in conjunction with a rearwardly extending portion 67 of top wall 13 and a lower extension 68 defining a mouthpiece, forms a whistle. A beveled top air opening 70 is provided.

Aligned openings 71 in wall portion 68 accommodates at additional securing pin 72 for holding the parts in related assembly.

Depending lugs 73 are provided at the rear end of each section, and are provided with openings 74 for the accommodation of a suitable chain 75, such as a key chain or the like.

Elongated finger engaging ribs 76 extend the full length of the exterior of each side wall 12 in substantial alignment with the light opening 45.

A modified form of construction is disclosed in FIG. 8 wherein all of the previously described components are identical and therefore carry the previously mentioned reference characters, with the exception of the fact that an elongated aligned sight 80 is raised above top wall 13 immediately forwardly of the opening 70, and a second aligned sight 81 is positioned on a semi-spherical raised portion 82 which extends between front wall 16 and partition 44, the portion 82 being provided with an opening 83 immediately beneath the side 81 which not only illuminates the side 81, but additionally illuminates the face of the compass 22.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved and simplified flash light construction which is sturdy and durable in construction, which may be manufactured from a minimum of parts with a minimum of expense and difiiculty, which is extremely inexpensive and simple to assemble, and which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A flashlight comprising a generally rectangular translucent casing having top, bottom, end, and side walls, a battery in said casing, a coil spring in said casing in engagement with one of said end walls and said battery, a bulb housing having a bulb therein in said casing, said bulb extending through the other of said end walls and having a portion thereof in contact with said battery, 2. push button extendingthrough said top wall, said push button having portions defining a recess in the underside thereof, a metal leaf spring in said casing underlying said top wall, one end of said metal leaf spring in engagement with said coil spring, a portion of said metal leaf spring underlying said push button and having an inverted V-shaped configuration, the apex of said V-shaped portion defining a rib, said rib disposed in the recess in the underside of said push button, said push button operative to move the free end of said metal leaf spring into engagement with said bulb housing to establish a circuit through said battery and bulb to illuminate the same, said push button further movable longitudinally of said easing relative to said metal leaf spring and engageable with said top wall to releasably maintain the circuit through the battery and bulb, and said rib on the metal leaf spring disposed in the recess in the underside of said push button limiting relative movement thereof with respect to said metal leaf spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,581,452 Krehbiel Apr. 20, 1926 1,964,577 Horsley June 26, 1934 2,329,063 Lockwood Sept. 7, 1943 2,481,394 Cannava Sept. 6, 1949 2,552,332 Le Van May 8, 1951 2,762,907 Schwartz Sept. 11, 1956 2,810,821 Cohn Oct. 22, 1957 2,824,382 Sandberg Feb, 25, 1958 2,955,357 Uebelhardt Octjll, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 500,623 Germany Jan. 13, 1928 OTHER REFERENCES Whistling Flashlight, Washington Daily News, Feb. 8, 

